Friday & Saturday & Sunday

On Friday it was ridiculously windy. Like, I had to lock my front door to keep it from being constantly blown open windy... and the wind blew my paddleboat onto land at low tide, and the wind kicked water into it and it started to submerge. I went down to the beach and didn't take the time to get beach shoes and the oysters sliced my left foot up as I tried to bail the boat out...but as soon as I bailed a bit, a wave would come up and replace all the water. I decided to leave it and hope it could be drained out when the wind died down enough. I cleaned house. Wind knocked the power out for two hours. I went to visit the boat in the evening. Ma and Pa at the state park. Finally found the dang road! Brought Bodi along as well. He seemed anxious but tolerated the experience.

In the morning I returned to the boat and picked up Ma and Pa. Early enough so Dad could go out for crab. Ma watered the plants. Turns out I really gotta drench them. I tidied up. Brynne and Dan and Muchim were stuck in Poulsbo traffic. They got in at around 1:30 and Honey and Bodi made their doggie introductions.

We hiked in the woods, I napped a bit while they swam, we drank mystery Cape Verde grog and it was delicious. Like coffee amaretto. It was a perfect day. Warmth, sunshine, no wind. The water was apparently too cold though. But the paddleboat got drained and used. No crab was found. Bodi tried a little bit to make Honey his girlfriend, but it didn't work. Dinner was a smorgasbord of chicken and wheatberry salad and melon and hummus and rice and all sorts of stuff! And oatmeal cake for dinner. Delicious. Filling.

The Seattle crew departed at around 7, and Celia drove us to the boat so she could see the boat. We paddled around the marina a bit, too. Looked at other boats.

Ma and Pa forgot their water bottles so I would have to be up very early to bring those to them. Didn't want to hold them up on their long journey back to Bremerton.

Got up just a bit before seven. Walked Bodi. Hauled the water into my car and hauled it to the boat. I got double poached eggs on toast with melted cheese. My favorite! Bodi was better behaved in the cabin. Well less anxious. I returned home and decided to take a nap instead of trying to be awake at 7:45 in the morning on a Sunday. So I did that. Then I watched Bojack Horseman on Netflix and snacked on left overs and walked Bodi again. I pulled a muscle in my calve. I gotta take it easy! My foot is still injured and walking on a cut when the cut is on the side of the foot...I hope it heals fast.

Unfortunately, my doctor's appointment was cancelled because the doctor fell ill! Damnit! So hopefully when I call, I can get an appointment quick and not several weeks out. I'm tired of delaying my foot stuff, because I don't want to enter my next stage in life with a bad foot that might, worst case scenario, need surgery. So tomorrow I'm dropping Bodi off and then making a Trader Joe's run and getting some jeans at Old Navy because I only have one that currently fits me in comfort.

Then I'll put my foot up and hope for the best. Feeling a bit like I'm falling apart and running out of time.

Boddles

My eye is twitchy. I'm afraid I might have a stye in it. AGAIN! Well I say again, it's been five years. Woke up with it this morning (Thursday) and I haven't been wearing any eye makeup for a few days so it couldn't have been that. Hmm. Anyhoo. See how it is tomorrow, I guess.

Wednesday:

Slept in again. Tidied up. Sat on the porch. Ma and Pa docked at Pleasant Harbor, but at the State Park which is impossible to actually locate unless you already know where it is, which I didn't...so I went back home frustrated. The marina doesn't have access to the marine park. That's some bullshit.

Had potstickers and called it an early night.

Thursday:

On site! Whooo! I worked helping box things up for a client. Mainly I pulled things from boxes and gave them item numbers. And boss gave me some left over bread and plum jam. Yummy! I left a bit early with Bodi. I'm looking after Bodi for the weekend! Hurray! He got a haircut and looks a bit light in the fur from it. He also has something on his eye that I'll be keeping an eye on.

Corbie seemed happy to see Bodi. They jumped around a bit. Shared bread and jam with Celia.

Now I'm just chillin'. Think I'll let Bodi out and then I'll go to sleep early. Feeling tired. Tomorrow I'll chill on the porch and read comics and clean house. Yup yup!

ho hum, feeling glum

Monday:

Took out the trash! Got to use the right compactor this time. Right as in the compactor on the right, not the opposite of wrong. Swung by the Quilcene store and got some provisions. Headed back home. Read comics. Watched So You Think You Can Dance with Celia. Whooo JJ and Jaja!

Tuesday:

I really need to start doing something to fill out this blog with.

Hung out on the porch. Read some comics. Made some gnocchi and sauce. That was tasty.

Tomorrow I guess I'll do some work and stuff.

catastrophe is a good show

Saturday & Sunday:

Slept in much too late. Had ample servings of buffalo chicken over rice. Pretty good little meal I crock potted! Though I'm due for another food run soon. Maybe I'll leave the house and go to Trader Joe's tomorrow (Monday).

Worked on stuff from home. Lots of eBay in autopilot listings. Watered plants that needed watering. Washed dishes. Read comics. I need to make a trash run too. I have food in my fridge that needs tossing but I don't want to have too much food garbage sitting in the trash. Yeah. Dump run soon needed.

Hmmm pretty mellow weekend, but I absolutely need to leave the house.

Ma & Pa, let me know if any more mail has arrived? I'm waiting on three things, though two should be here within this week. The third hasn't been mailed out yet.

Good night peeps, be well.

stay at Hummel

Thursday:

Got up and did my makeup super pretty like because I was going to get my driver's license! Packed up my ID and some mail I've received to prove my address, and off I went to the Port Townsend DMV. I was gearing up to suffer but...there was one person in front of me in line. I sat for all of 45 seconds and then I was up! The guy working was jovial. Since I was already in the Washington system, it was just a matter of updating my info. Though I neglected to update my weight. Oh well. But yeah! It went super fast and painless. Just had to pay up and I got several tries at the photo. I look all dark haired and dark browed and pink lipsticked. Different from my brown reddish hair in my Cali license. Though I made a point to wear my same necklace and shirt in both photos. I wonder how long I can keep that look going?

I swung by QFC and got some food stuffs, including supplies to try this chicken crock pot recipe. Then back home I went! I got the chicken going and I did the watering of plants and some laundry and took it easy. Did some work from home. The chicken was buffalo chicken and I think I added too much sauce, or not enough chicken, but it shredded all right. Didn't eat it till the next day though.

Friday:

Had a hard time getting out of bed because I was feeling down, but I eventually got up,

Ate some green beans and hash browns for breakfast with coffee. Watered plants and put put slug bait. I tied some strings to the green beans to get them to stretch up and over to the trellis. When they start clinging, I'll cut those lines. Just don't want them to flop on the ground, ya know?

Did some more work from home. Marcus came over for a visit. I heated up the shredded buffalo chicken and put it over rice and yum yum so good! Then we watched The Fifth Element, which he had never seen! And it was fun to watch it with someone who hadn't seen it, because I was able to see if with sort of fresh eyes because that movie was such a convergence of stars aligning in terms of actors and time and place, but also totally amazing what Luc Besson pulled off because his director track record is all over the place with some really not amazing movies. So yeah, that was fun!

Nice to have company and chat about things. Marcus is good for chatting.

adult responsibilities

Three nice mellow days.

Monday:

Slept in. Let my body rest. Sat in the sun and listened to podcasts. Just took it nice and easy. Also made a doctor’s appointment! Go me being an adult and stuff!

Tuesday:

Another mellow day. It was a little bit colder so I got a good sleep, instead of thrashing about all sweaty. Had some noodles and then met Ma & Pa at Pho T&N and had more noodles! The Pho place redecorated and it looks nice. Nothing new to report to mom and dad, but they had some stuff to deliver to me so we met up. If I don’t order stuff, when ever will I see them?

Then we saw Spy, and Ma giggled throughout. Dad also got a few good guffaws. It was still good the second time around. Two thumbs up for Spy!

Got home at night and tucked into bed at a reasonable hour.

Wednesday:

Got out of bed late. Had a small breakfast and coffee in my new Things I Bought at Sheetz mug (you know that youtube show I’m an associate producer for?). Then I dug up this old RedBubble gift certificate that I never cashed in and took a gander at stickers. I didn’t order any, but wow I could get a lot of stickers!!

I did some work from home too. eBay drafts and whatnot.

I also looked up the steps to getting a Washington license and it looks like I don’t even need to take the test again, so I may just go to the Port Townsend DMV tomorrow and get that sorted. I’ll do my makeup all pretty and look legit. So long California ID, hello Washingtonian once again!!

Watered plants. My house still feels weird after having all the guests. So many minor rearrangements make massive differences.

Listened to podcasts. My time suddenly got busy with Marcus coming to hang out on Friday and a Bodi weekend and other plans. Nice to be busy! And I reconnected on Facebook with Yasuaki, one of my Japan host mother’s sons. The one I hung out with and saw the bodies exhibit in Kanazawa with. 

That was ten years ago!!

Fourth with Friends and Family

The 4^th of July felt like a really good success! It was a long, busy, fun day with plenty of good company and I’m still tired from it all!

Heather and Daniel arrived at just a bit after 10. I celebrated their arrival with sparklers. And we shot off roman candles across the clear water after dark. That was fun. The water and stones under the water were illuminated. And we stayed up late chatting and drawing and it’s so great to hang with friends.

Heat woke us up early. I got coffee going and we walked down to the beach and caught up with Ma and Pa. It was decided we’d take a quick swim before breakfast, so we got our swimming gear on and in we went! It was a nice, quick dip and the water was perfect. Warm enough with a few cold patches to remind us of what we are truly in.

Dad made poached eggs on toast, but sans the usual melted cheese. Perfectly poached goodness enjoyed on the porch. We did a bit more hanging out. Heather and I walked along the beach. Well, we walked IN the water along the beach. I pointed out a starfish and decorator crabs. When we got back to the house, there were snacks and hot dogs. We ate heartily. Justin and Jen arrived at around 1pm and we got to greetings and more hot dogs and a couple beers. Then it was time for the second swim! The serious swim! Daniel and I brought down the paddle boat. Justin and Jen kayaked, Mom kayaked, Dan kayaked, I floated on the inner tube, and did some snorkeling (after I got my snorkel from Mom, who was using it), and drank beer in the tube (in a can, not a glass) and chatted with Heather and generally enjoyed being oh so very warm in the sun. I hauled in the gear, took a hearty shower, and greeted Amy and Linda and Ryan and Sister Pine and Taylor and Reed! And then it was a full party, with a smorgasbord of healthy veggies and meats and salad and crab to put on the salad and skewers (I was full before I could get to a skewer) and later in the evening, after playing with Reed and Taylor (Amy and Ryan’s kids) (after they had got their swim in) we had apple pie and ice cream and chocolate cake. A marathon of food.

Heather and Daniel departed us early, but it was wonderful to have them up if oh so briefly. They’re great people, and Heather is an honorary Pedersen-Spencer.

After food was consumed to bursting point, we washed dishes (Sister Pine helped me dry and put them away) and toys were put away and finally we agreed that YES it was time to launch fireworks! Down to the beach we went. I gave smoke bombs to Taylor and Reed and had them place them and then I would light them (safety!) and I gave out sparklers. Dad pulled in the raft so that we could use it as a launching platform. I was his helper. Celia contributed a few fountains, and a few were very uber! It was a good blend of Roman Candles and fountains going PEEWW ZCHEEWWWW ffzzzzt BOOM and the six mortars I bought going way way up and way way bright! First year we had those, and to great effect. They encompassed the sky and got applause. At the end I was like “who wants more?” and I got applause and I said “I can’t hear yoooou!!!” and got more applause and repeated “I can’t hear yooou!” and got even MORE applause, and after a finale cheer after a finale demand of “I CAN’T HEAR YOUUU!!!” I lit the last fountain, though in truth the last firework will never be as good as the second to last firework.

What an amazing night! Kids were up past their bed time, I burnt my thumb on the lighter and banged my toes on the bolt on the raft, we all ate so much, and met new people, and met old friends, and yeah. It was just wonderful and the right amount of people and everyone got along. Wonderful.

The people who slept over with Jen and Justin, Ma and Pa, and me in the house by myself. I woke up tired and sore and lay still in bed for a while, and coffee didn’t wake me up, and an energy drink didn’t wake me up. Only a late afternoon nap really revived me.

Breakfast was an egg casserole with left over veggies and shrimp (yum!) with scones (YUM!) and watermelon (I assume yum) and jam on the scones. Wonderful after party food.

Jen took another dip, I sat and chatted with Justin, Ma and Pa packed up, I did some drawings and gave them to J & J. They departed. Ma and Pa departed. I realized Taylor left a bag but they were still at Linda’s cabin so I departed and dropped off the bag (it had a glasses case and library books, so important stuff!) and some sparklers because I’m a good influence on kids like that. I got to pet Gabriel, Linda’s dog, some more. Sweet lil puppy.

Then back to my house for some major relaxation. What a perfect holiday! Outside of me getting a few injuries, and Daniel also getting a few cuts, nothing went wrong.

poop

Waiting for Heather and Daniel to arrive ommggg!

Today I got up and had an egg scramble and then helped Dad out with putting together a trellis for the green beans. Eight sticks in four V formations with a single rebar through the V joint, with string weighted down on each side with two bits of rebar. It looks really nice and I can't wait for my precious green beans to grow up and around it.

I washed the sheets and pillowcases and tidied up the upstairs to make ready for guests. Lots of washing and drying, but I want my guests to be comfy.

The septic guy came later in the evening. He was pretty cute! Dark curly graying hair, probably Italian. Smart. I wonder what art he studied? So that was fun. Too bad he was pumping poop. Awkward first meeting.

Then we four (Celia, Ma, Pa and I) after eating dinner, took a quick swim. Now they'll be here any minute! Ooohhhh!!!

Then it's celebration day!

triple post

Tuesday:

I literally can't remember what I did on Tuesday. What did I do? OH! I dyed my hair! That I think was Tuesday. Yeah. Did that. Ate food. Watered plants. Rested my skin. It wasn't all that burned, thankfully! Just a bit pink.

Wednesday:

Ma and Pa came over in the eveningish, but first I left for errands. Got my hair cut by Vianne at SuperCuts (or is it MasterCuts?? the haircut place in Poulsbo next to the tanning place) and she did a lovely job fixing my mess. Did I mention I tried to cut my own hair? It didn't go so well. I finally decided to have it fixed, and it was for the best. And my bangs were trimmed into a nice shape. Now to grow my hair out nice and proper. I want my 2010 hair length back.

Then I did a shopping errand and got soda and Capri Sun and bug itch creme and other things. Also got The Fifth Element on DVD because it was cheap.

Back I went! I did some laundry and made pasta and waited for ma and pa. They arrived and I helped unpack a bit. The pasta was made with the last of the sauce Brynne left me. We chilled out and tucked in to bed and I had a very restless night sleep.

Also did some work from home.

Thursday:

On site work day! Mom made me a sandwich for lunch. I did my makeup with this eyeshadow primer I'm trying out. It's cheaper stuff but it is lasting as well as my sampler of more expensive stuff.

I photographed items. Itemized items. Helped organize stuff. A shorter day. I got caught by the bridge on the way over. On the way back I got gas, and fireworks (at George's, right across from NCAD, I got things that shouldn't set the peninsula on fire), and deposited my paycheck, and got snacks and finally got home after the awful Bainbridge traffic at almost 8!

I ate of the salad and fish and potatoes Mom made. I had a brewski and lit some bottlerockets and then settled in for a good old slouch in front of my computer.

I painted my nails red and blue! America! Tomorrow Heather & Daniel are coming up! I got laundry to do and cleaning of house to also do.

Feeling a bit anxious about stuff coming together for the shindig. It'll be fine. I'm still just anxious.

snack attack/pink back/no shame

My power cut out last night, so I just went to bed instead of waiting for it to come back on.

Uhhh okay time to separate what happened on three days.

Today, Monday:

I got a slight sun burn! I showered and had a scramble and was like "the sun is out and it looks nice so I'm going to sit in the sun". At first I was just on the beach, but the tide came up and made it so the only bit of the beach that was dry was in the shade. So I pulled down the kayak and went out to the raft and set up there for some sunshine. Listened to podcasts and looked quite scandalous in my unmentionables because if I'm alone and there's no one on the water I'm not bothering with a Victorian swimming costume. Ha! Yeah. So I listened to podcasts, and then floated around a bit in the kayak while seals made eye contact with me.

Then I went into the shade and had some snacks and eye balled my skin. It's pink but it doesn't feel too awful. Hopefully it'll turn into a nice base tan. I want my childhood freckles back!

Celia gave me some soap and pointed out where a weird bee hive, possible wasp hive, nest is on the bank. Something to look out for!

I watched So You Think You Can Dance, and one of the dancers I was rooting for (the curly haired street dancer) went home. Such talent! Being able to learn choreography is the biggest deal breaker it seems. Loved seeing how the ladies in the street category totally slayed.

Sunday:

A gray, gloomy day. It even rained! I've been diligently watering my plants, so it was nice to take a break. I went into town and saw Spy, which was hilarious! There are so many good moments in that movie, and I look forward to double featuring it with Hot Fuzz. Loved the casting. I mainly rushed to see it once I knew Miranda Hart was in it! Chummy!

And I swung by Trader Joe's and picked up food and stuff. And cashola to give to some people that I owe cashola to.

Saturday:

Sat over at Celia's for a bit to get the primo internet to do some work from home stuff. Did my work. Gave Corbie a walk. Been watching the kitties and doggy because Celia was out of town for the weekend.

Had some pasta. Didn't get up to much else. Did some yard work and stood in the canal to cool off, that was nice.

It's been real nice to chill in the canal.

Now to buy some fireworks! Paid my P.U.D. bills, not only did it drop under three digits but it was almost twenty whole bucks cheaper than the last bill! Yuss!

All About KB

I jammed my pinky on a mug that I was putting away. Like I dropped it, and caught it on my pinky and it twisted my pinky. Doesn't feel broken, just very badly bruised. I also noticed a weird bump on the back of my left heel, which is the same foot that has been hurting to walk on intermittently. Googling "bump on heel" has incentive me to actually book and appointment with a doctor and get myself looked at. Anyway, on with the show:

Thursday:

Karen's day! Her 29th birthday! Got up nice and moderately early and did my makeup and all that. Hauled out a pile of presents (I went a bit overboard but I kept finding/thinking of good things for her!) and headed out for Bremerton. She liked the Bleeding Heart plant card I made for her (in a different style from my other others, I drew with ink and washed the card when the ink was still drying, so it had an outline of the details). And she liked the scarves and the vase and earrings (which were a gift to me, Laura didn't charge but I would have paid but shhh don't tell Karen) (and it's good she liked them cuz jewelry is hard to pick but they were brass with turquoise colored stones and geometric in style, which I've seen Karen wear). And she liked the freebie mini dishes I got from work which would have been impossible to sell. Six little matching blue and white dishes that were probably lids to something else that has been sold. Perfect for soy sauce/little condiments! Karen's taste in china is blue and white patterning. And the grand finale: she loved the shrinky dink charm bracelet I made her:

Leg milagro, Saint Servatus, and Queen of Wands. Carefully picked. I liked giving gifts, especially when I know they'll be liked. Sometimes I hit a good streak. I'd rather be generous. Anyhoo.

We got sushi! Yum yum. We walked to the shop, as it was a beautiful day for it, and ate plenty. Then back to her place for more chatting. Rob came over around 6, and they left to get dinner with her parents, and as did I. I mean, I left. I didn't join the dinner (though funnily enough they went to Anthony's, where she joined us for my birthday! But Rob was her plus one this time around. I'm fine with that tho, as I wasn't hungry).

Picked up my comics. Yay comics!

Then in Silverdale I swung by Target and got hair dye for when I feel like doing that again, and they had this eyelid primer that is super cheap brand but highly recommended so I got that, and Target...has...IT'S-IT!!! LIKE! The best ice cream sandwich ever!!! I thought it was only in California but no it's in the Silverdale Target! Ahhhh! I got the package and ate one on the way back home and hoped the other two (only sold in boxes of three) survived. They did. I shared one with Celia because It's-It MUST be shared.

Then I retired.

Friday:

Celia is off to Portland for the weekend and I helped keep Corbie distracted while she left. He's less of a wandering doggie these days, so that's good.

I threw on a floral short dress and some shorts and headed south to Shelton to meet Karen & Rob at the skydiving place to provide ground support for them. Karen is doing a 30 Before 30, and skydiving was #1! Brave lady indeed. The place was nice and open. The staff was friendly and let Anna and I take plenty of pictures (Anna and Richard were friends of Rob). I'd like to go skydiving sometime but it's expensive, alas. I mean not the worst but a bit out of my range right now. Karen was nervous but strong and up she went and I stared at the blue sky and then I saw little dots and then those became parachutes and there they were! How wonderful! All of them, in one intact piece. Hurray! So proud of my super friend.

101 was a gorgeous drive today. Sun was out, it was hot, the water was sparkling. There was one truck that was in a ditch. Gotta respect the speed limits, yo. I watered the garden. The carrots are coming up this time, and the green beans are poppin' through. I stood in the canal, up to my bum, and contemplated the beauty of it all.

Then I set up my computer at Celia's and internetted it up over there and kept the kitties company. Sam let me pet him a whole bunch!

Got some work from home to do tomorrow. Will probably try to get a swim in, or at least a bit of basking.

not made with real Trillians

Tuesday:

Got a good sleep and made myself a cuppa coffee and ate some doughnuts that B & D brought over, yum! They went kayaking and I lounged about on the porch enjoying the perfect good calm weather. When they returned, they brought out cheese and elk meat and ohhh so tasty. They even left me cheese!! It was a nice little mini visit, they didn't stay too long. Still, nice to get out of the city for even a night!

I worked from my front porch for optimal wifi and knocked out a good chunk of stuff. Snacked a bunch. Watered plants. No sign of carrots!!

Got to bed at an almost good hour. I only got a bit bug bitten, that red incased citronella candle is the bomb!

Wednesday:

On site day! Only one a week these days, it's winding down. I think I'll look for a new job after 4th of July. Or maybe never and just be a full on mooch.

So, on site! I got through two more boxes of things, organized a third, helped Laura with her jewelry set up for the fair that is coming up (her jewelry sure looks nice!), Had left over Brynne pasta for lunch.

My boss last time I was on site asked for game ideas for a baby shower, like pinning a cloth diaper on something speed contest, but onto what she pondered! And I threw in "how about a water balloon?" and long story short: the game was a hit! When I suggested it, she asked if I had read the game somewhere. Nope, I'm just good at thinking stuff. Go me.

I swung by the library and picked up a pile of books! Mostly comics this time. Hurray comics!

I deposited a check. Yay money!

I swung by Central Market and got salmon musubi, a red bean paste mochi, some taffy, some chocolate (I have not eaten these last two yet, they are later time snacks) and a lychee flavor Calpico as an after work snack. Pricey but delicious. Damn I wish I hadn't gone into Central Market the other day, as now I am reminded of all the good stuff it contains within.

Yum yum.

The Mattars found some chocolate called "Trillian Bar" at a Buffalo candy shop and mailed me (to Celia's address) three bars of it!! How nice of them! I haven't had any yet, but will soon. I've been in mourning because of all those dang "Share a Coke With..." Coke bottles that have names on them that are not MY NAME! And now I have three chocolate bars with my name on them.

I wrapped up the presents for Karen's birthday and made her a card. We are hanging tomorrow and probably Friday as well. Watched TV, ate food after 10. Tsk tsk. Now to sleep and get up and celebrate my friend's birthday!

both fridges set on chill

Sunday:

Chilled at home. Washed some things. I made a bunch of shrinky dink things and that was fun. Listened to a bunch of podcasts. Watched my telly in the evening. True Detective and whatnot. I got to bed at a decent hour to get up earlyish to prep the house.

Monday:

Got up and got to some cleaning! Well had some noodles for breakfast, and tea. And I cut my special potato that I picked from the garden yesterday into little pieces to make fries, and I cooked it into fries and it was a delicious little serving of fries. Could have used more garlic.

All that work to grow a potato and cut it and cook it properly. Only a buck for the same and a minute of time at McDonalds.

I cleared out some cobwebs and put away things and generally made it all nice. Brynne & Dan arrived at 2 and brought in food stuffs. I helped (not really) bring down their kayaks and they went out for a paddle. I worked on work stuff. When they got back, they relaxed on the porch and I kept working. The house filled up with good smelling sauce for dinner. Once I got to a good point to pause, I joined them in chat and wine. I shelled shrimp for the salad. Celia joined us for the lovely meal of pasta and hearty sauce, salad, olive loaf, and chatter. Lovely wonderful meal. We hung out at Celia's after, and I watched the last hour and a bit of So You Think You Can Dance back at mine.

Nice little day.

I really need to start exercising.

udonosaurus

Friday:

Slept in, renegotiated sailing plans, made some coffee and grabbed some snacks and headed out to Bremerton to meet Ma & Pa to go sailing for the day. The weather was nice for it. Blue skies and fluffy clouds. We went against the current, so it was slow going. I hollered "prepare to come about" a few times. Took many hours to get up to Brownsville and Brownsville Marina. That is where Ma and Pa and the Audobon Society put up purple marlins nests. The birds have certainly moved in! We got lunchish at the cafe by the dock. I had the french dip, Mom had a salad, Dad had the reuben. Two pints at happy hour were ordered, and a glass of red. There was live music (covers mostly, it seemed) and golf on TV. A nice little refuel for our bodies, with ice cream as dessert. I napped on the way back. Got into dock after dark, and I drove home sans helping put everything all away. Nice trip. Next time, let us go WITH the tide.

Saturday:

Hung out a bit with Celia on the beach. I watered the plants. I decided to go see Jurassic World and make a Central Market run after. Bought popcorn for dinner. JW was better than I was expecting, though my expectations were not very high. Chris Pratt is damn fine, and the chases were fun. It just didn't get me as pumped as Mad Max Fury Road, but I doubt anything will for a while yet. It was fun but nothing exceptional or groundbreaking. Eh yeah.

Central Market is so big and overwhelming! I should have bought more eggs. They have their own cartons you place eggs into, which is so smart because you just pick unbroken eggs instead of going through case after case looking for a good one to buy. I got some chocolate but I stowed it away for daytime eating. I'm trying to be better about not eating right before bed time. Such a great store. I love their udon variety! It's a bit more expensive, store wise, but ahhh so good. So much good stuff. Might just drive the extra 15 minutes and go there instead of QFC.

Back at home, I tried cutting my own hair. The layers part of it. Not the bangs. It's looking choppy/shaggy which is KINDA the look I want. I'll see how it looks once I wash it. I wonder if I'll ever get my late 2010/early 2011 hair length back. I just need to leave my hair alone for a year or two and let it grow. But cutting it yourself is so satisfying. Hmmm. Anyway, bed time!

boys in the house

Oooohhh I'm so stuffed. I feel like my belly grew two sizes. So much food.

Wednesday:

An on site work day! They do exist! Though my job is winding down and soon I'll be in "find a new job" town. Wore the same (since washed) outfit I wore to the play, because it's a nice dress and light jacket combo for looking stylish. I photographed three boxes worth of stuff! Pretty good chunk of work. And I grabbed some goodies to put on credit (a purse for Celia and a heart shaped locket for me, now I need a sweetheart to put their photo in my locket). I stayed on till 7ish and thus traffic was very easy going back. OH! I also gave boss the "Beware of Dog (he is adorable)" print for her birthday and she loved it and hung it up.

Deposited my paycheck and got some fast food because I was hungry (so many bad eating habits) and when I got back to Pulali, Dustin and Mike were there and dinner was happening, so I parked and wandered over for second dinner! Steak and potatoes and veggies, oh my! I ate so much. Too much. Conversation was plentiful and it was nice to see Dustin again after several years. Mike is a very nice fella too.

I went to bed and woke up early. I've had a couple bad nights sleep. Probably the light coming in in the morning.

Thursday:

Pop tart for breakfast and I watered the plants and dug out the weeds in the garden a bit and stirred up the dirt and then took another crack at planting carrots. And I did a row of greenbeans in the long open bed. So hopefully they grow! They'll need that trellis.

I had some pasta with WAY too much garlic in the sauce and then I took a long nap because I was really tired for some reason. I had an apple with peanut butter. And a bowl of ice cream with chocolate grated on top. Then Celia invited me over for dinner! There was more steak and veggies and a crumble and it was all so very good. I showed my sketchbooks to M & D and they were complimentary. Nice evening all around, though now my tummy feels distended. I really need to join a gym and start working out. I want my clothes to continue to fit me. I can't afford a new wardrobe.

Well, I have plenty of larger shirts that'll fit. I guess I just don't want to buy new pants? Except I have larger pants. I guess I don't want the clothes I really like that are a bit tight now to not fit at all.

Wah wah. Inactivity.

I did my duty regarding the septic system

Monday:

Cleaned house and got up early, expecting Dad to arrive before noon but he showed up at like 12:35! So late! I didn't have any work from home to do today so I was able to help out. I helped get the boat in the water and load the crab traps up. I pulled bait out last night to use for today. A mix of scraps and giblets and salmon eggs from September. It was a perfect day for being out on the boat. We dropped two pots in a secret spot and puttered around the bay enjoying the sun. I stretched out on the bow of the little boat and got sunburned a little bit. Not much, but I did get pink. Dad and I hollered enthusiastically every time we saw a bald eagle, and we kept eye contact with my friendly neighborhood raccoon. Also I dug out some really good pink and white beach shoes that someone left here once upon a time. They fit wonderfully. No more loosing flip flops in the water!

We snacked out while waiting to pick up the crab pots. Sat out on the porch like champs.

A tree fell down on the beach. A big one! But it didn't wreck anything.

The waters were rougher when we went out to retrieve the pots, and I got damp up in the front. The first pot had three lady crabs, so they had to be sent back. The second pot had three boy crabs and they were all above the minimum limit size so yum nums they were ours!

We tied up the boat and hauled up the crabs. Dad got to boiling the water to cook the crabs. He chopped them right in half, cleaned out the guts, and in they went into the water and fifteen minutes later out they came all smelling of goodness. While they cooled down I got rice going and washed dishes. Dad showed me how to clean crab, and only a few bits of shell have been found in the crab since! It's time consuming but worth it for good crab. Yum.

I made a "deconstructed sushi" and Celia came over at just the right time to partake. I had the little seaweed rectangles from TJ's and on top of those we would plop rice and crab, and maybe a bit of soy sauce or tartar sauce or cocktail sauce if we fancied. A lovely little appetizer.

Celia departed and So You Think You Can Dance was on and Dad made burgers and we ate the burgers and watched telly. Some good dancing on that show, fo' sho.

After Dad went to sleep I worked on a little project that I shant go into detail with here, but I stayed up way too late doing it.

Tuesday:

The tide was super low and Dad and I walked along the beach and looked at what was left behind. There were a few clam spurts, and fish under rocks, and a few starfish! We picked up those starfish and flung them out further to sea. Maybe should have instead left them high and dry for the eagles. Gggrrr starfish. Decimated our oysters! No sign of Rocket the Raccoon.

We finally faced the music and checked the septic tank. Smelly indeed. Dad poked at the "scum" and "sludge" with a stick and I wrote down the measurements. It needs to be pumped. I washed the filter with the hose and we put the top back on tank, and we were free! Free from poking the poop container with a stick! Hurray! We celebrated by trimming the tree that fell. Trimmed off branches and cut off the good firewood pieces and put them on the seawall. The tree is still there, but it's less of a tangle hazard.

More burgers were consumed. I moved the potted pumpkin to a better spot, I watered the garden. Dad did stuff too. Then left. I'll see them all again real soon.

I had the remaining hot dog for dinner and got to working on some presents. Have a gift to give, but I gotta make it. So I finished watched Orange is the New Black (I really liked this season, it was less hectic and more just character driven) and worked on personal projects. It felt good to work on what I've been wanting to work on.

So a busy couple days, but a good busy. Got guests coming up soon, multiple guests! But I'm also working on site tomorrow and I'm already up far too late for that.

straight outta Renton

Saturday:

Left the house to do errands, but I didn't go see Spy. Just had a nice day with some nice driving. Warm, sunny pretty day. I swung by Michaels and picked up some things. Swung by Target and forgot to buy toilet paper, but I got other stuff....  then I returned home and had a hot dog. Hurray! Didn't do much else. Oh. I did some cleaning....or did I clean on Friday? Well I cleaned a bit some days. Then got to bed at a more decent than usual hour.

Sunday:

Alarm went off at 7:30 and I rolled out of bed at 8:20ish. Showered. Threw on my dress and some makeup and made a cuppa coffee with a swirl of honey and put some raisin bran granola in a tupperware to munch on while driving to Seabeck. I swapped out Dad's place to see the play (pre-ordered tickets). Arrived just before 11. Ma and I hopped on the road for Renton to see Brynne's new play (that she is starring in) The Boyfriend. Hit some traffic and Mom used her Pacific Northwest knowledge to take backroads and we got to the theater in good time. Nabbed parking, nabbed some cupcakes and smoothies for a pre-show snack. I got the lemon buttercream and some boba, Mom got the cherry almond and a smoothie. Yum nums.

The show was cute. A 1950's spoof of 1920's marriage romance comedies. It had dancing and singing and sillyness. It was cute. Not the most plot heavy, but still cute. Brynne was lovely as always.

Hans was there and we three caught up a bit and passed off some flowers to Brynne. Then Ma & I headed back to Seabeck. My Maximum Fun fund drive tote came! It's well made and the printing is aces.

Had a snack then headed back and watched television and wow it is late.



Heal well Nathan!

corrosion

Wednesday:

The internet went down! Hurray! The problem would be resolved on Thursday, but it persisted all through the day. And I had work to do, so I went to the Halfway House and let it be known I would be camping out with my computer. I started with lemonade and a slice of chocolate pie and got to working. It was super productive though, because I didn't like being THAT person with the computer and keyboard and wires everywhere. But it wasn't crowded and I wasn't taking space up from someone else, so I didn't feel too bad. And when I was done, about three hours later, I had the chicken fried steak special. Yum nums.

I deposited my paycheck in Port Hadlock and the internet was of course still down, so I just sat and read comics and texted people.

Thursday:

No internet. Celia and I had a conference call with the tech people and they ran some problem solving, but it couldn't be fixed over the phone so they put in a ticket for fixings. I decided to pack up and go use the WiFi in Seabeck...but then I heard from Michael the Centurylink Tech Guy that he had the time to come out today to see what was up, so I hung around a bit more and he arrived and replaced the DSL plug in, because it was corroded. That was why it wasn't working. The dang connection was corroded. So now it's working. But I was set to leave, so I headed out but I left the computer at home.

Swung by Seabeck and hung out with the parents a bit. Ma popped popcorn. I picked up my packages. We chatted and I headed out to Bremerton to get my comics. Kaptara! Lumberjanes! Saga! Hurrah! Also Help Us Great Warrior. Then I popped over to Karen's for dinner. Her guy Rob joined us for dinner, which was sausages and farmers market greens and was very tasty. We chatted and laughed and Rob embarrassed Karen. It is so nice to hang with people, and Rob departed to run an errand or two, so K & I got some good one on one time.

Hey, Ma & Pa, Karen is down to sailboat it up. Got a spare Thursday/Friday this month?

Returned home and internetted it up to the wee hours.

Oh! When at home, I saw a vase and thought "that looks like a Hull" and it was! It belonged to my great grandmothers and Ma & Pa let me have it. I set it on the drawers collection of stuff I have going on upstairs.

Friday:

Did some more work from home, getting the online store for a client nice and set up. Cleaned up the photos a bit more too. And I started watching the new season of Orange is the New Black. Got four episodes down already! Mike Birbiglia is in this season.

Tomorrow I have some errands to run. Will leave the house and do stuff, and maybe see Spy. Maybe I'll call Mom and see if she wants to see Spy. I know Jurassic Park is out too, but ehhh I've heard good enough things about Spy.

Now to finish this episode (only a few minutes left) and read some comics and then go to bed!

water boating

Monday:

Did some work. Had to patio laptop it. Help dad strip wire to repair the bottom of my paddle boat. The wire is to hold the split together, so that the sealant doesn't pop open randomly. Or something. Got the boat patched. Got wood cut for the seat backs for the boat. Oh! Dad made poached eggs and put it on toast with hollandaise sauce over it and it was SCRUMPTIOUS! 

I don't think I helped with anything else...

Dinner was salad with dessert of filo cups with ice cream. Then So You Think You Can Dance was on so we indulged in that! Hurray for dancing.

Tuesday:

I've been waking up early, but that's mostly because the light is shining in my face at 5 am. But still not getting out of bed all that early.

Got work from home stuff done. Sat out on the patio to get the best signal and got stuff done, woohoo! Snacked. Second breakfast was made by Mom. Thrice fried potatoes and scrambled eggs. Mmmm delicious! Ma and Pa went swimming and kayaking (there are some sweet new kayak racks up), and then after Dad and I hauled the paddle boat into the water to test it out, and the test was successful! It leaked a bit at the foot peddle wells, but no apparent leaks on the bottom! Hurray! I paddled about, Dad joined me, Dad switched out with Mom, Mom went to the back seat and Celia joined us, AND Corbie climbed aboard. We paddled about and had a great time. It would be great leg exercise if only it weren't so heavy and hard to haul up and down.

I ate the remaining salad and hugged Ma and Pa goodbye as they hauled out with their stuff.

Chilled the rest of the night away.

summer is here and I've turned off the heaters

Friday:

Finished almost all my work from home work. Just got a few things left to do. Did I do anything else? Uhhh. Worked. Ate food. Relaxed. Read some comics.

Saturday:

Slept in. It was a warm, beautiful, sunny day. Just absolutely grand. I dropped off my recycling. I did my makeup fancy and I had to redo my eyebrows because the first time around I did them too big and uneven. I'm still learning the tricks of the trade. Celia and I went up to Port Townsend to see Heather McL's band Rotties play at Cellar Door. Got up there right on time, though of course being a punk show the music wouldn't be playing till 30 minutes after the time it was supposed to start. We ran into Heather and crew and walked down to the pier and chatted. Met her fiancee Dave, he seemed nice. I told him to be good to Heather. In the venue, which was down some stairs and in a basement and narrow but with seating and it wasn't too crowded but not vacant either, I had a couple whiskey gingers through the night. I drew, I stood up near for Rotties (who rocked, always good to see gals on instruments being rad) and put in ear plugs for the first band because apparently I'm old now and need to wear plugs at shows (but it was a good thing). It was nice to get out and see that there are actually people my age in this area! Whoddathunk? We didn't stay for the third band. Got back late and I went to bed and all was well.

Sunday:

Got up and made an ATM run to pay parents for the bills. Got an Arizona green tea and a jerky stick too. Treat yo self! I made breakfast, tidied the house, took out compost, and then sat on the porch and listened to podcasts till Ma & Pa showed up. Way too sunny nice weather.

I helped haul logs up from the beach by way of tying a rope to them so Dad could pull them up, instead of carrying each log up and going down and then going up then down. That went well and Dad only hit me with the rope a few times. Ma made sandwiches. I read comics. Dinner was potatoes, sweet onions, cod, tabbouleh, broccoli, hollandaise sauce. Mmm! And dessert was s'mores by the fire. Well s'mores in the fire. Crispy, just how I like 'em.

Celia returned to her cabin and we watched Easy A. Now it's past my bedtime. Got work to do tomorrow.

left the house today

Wednesday:

Found out I don't have to go on site on Thursday. Worked a bunch from home. Almost have the spreadsheets for work done, and I got another huge batch online so I can start getting those live. Almost all caught up. Not sure what I'll be doing next but it'll be something.

My art for Things I Bought At Sheetz has been featured twice in the show now, so that is pretty cool.

I made shrimp alfredo pasta for dinner. That was good. Yeah. Slept. Worked. Pasta.

Thursday:

Today I left the house! Didn't really have to but I did because I haven't left the house in a while and I really needed to. Maybe if I joined a gym I would be forced out more often and I'd meet people? Be social and stuff. Just a reoccuring thought.

I went to Poulsbo and dropped off my library books. All of them. Their renewals ran out. And I picked up one new book. I'll be a bit more...uhh...reasonable in my check outs. I also had a wee fine and when the librarian pulled it up to look at it I said "oh I came by the fine good and honest" because she had the tone of "this person is going to dispute this". Buck and a quarter! Those money grubbing librarians.

I swung by the watch repair place, but it was a clock repair place but they lady advised me on a different place. My watch may have gotten too damp. It's water resistant, but not water proof, and may need a part replaced inside. I haven't followed up on that yet, but at least I know that place by the Poulsbo McD's is clock repair. In case I need a clock repaired.

Did I mention my watch stopped and I replaced the battery and that didn't make it work again? Yeah. Well I've mentioned it now.

Went to Silverdale and looked for a new rain coat at Goodwill. Wanted something lightweight and water repellant because the one raincoat I have that fits that bill just started sloughing its exterior...so yeaaah. And I found several jackets, but the cutest was this red one with a removable hood. It's a bit boxier up top than my usual style, but it's super dynamic looking and I like to buy clothes based on how I would draw myself in them. So I'm stoked on that purchase. Went to Trader Joe's and got some food stuffs. Then home again. There was a three car accident driving in, but smooth traffic driving out. Nice day in Washington.

I did some more work from home. Celia came over and we chatted. Made plans for Saturday.

Things I Bought At Sheetz

www.sheetzshow.com

ink and inkwash on paper

and so it goes

Monday:

Switched over to sleeping in the big bed again, as the small one was proving difficult to get properly comfy in. I stayed in my PJs all day, did a bunch of laundry, and switched into different PJs in the evening. Got some work at home done. Watched TV.

Tuesday:

Another big bed day, but I put on proper clothes today, only half way out of pajamas. If I'm not leaving the house, why bother? Ma & Pa, bring back the mouse zapper. I thawed out a baggie, well I'm thawing out, of shrimp to make with that alfredo sauce. I put garlic in the other sauce for pasta today. It was good. My internet was very spotty so it was hard to get work done.

I did do a bit of fan art for the youtube show Things I Bought at Sheetz, and I posed it on the closed group for fans of the show and right now it has 65 likes and the creators of the show commented. The little bit of recognition really cheered me up.

A bit bummed out right now. I ended things with Aaron. Not going to go into it here, it's just a thing that happened.

out on the water

Saturday:

Rolled out of bed nice and late. Did the internet thing and the small breakfast thing. Did I run into town on this day? No that was Friday. Yeah. Had some noodles and pot stickers and beans, but not all at once. Had a nice chill day. Did some work from home. Went to sleep at a generally good hour because it was sailing time!

Sunday:

Sailing day! With the parents! Got up earlier than I usually do on a Sunday. Put my hair in a wind friendly do (low pony/braid), filled up a tupperware with granola raisin bran, grabbed a poptart, and made some coffee. Off I went to meet the parents in Silverdale, whoo. Easy nice drive. Parked. Hopped in the backseat and off we went to the marina. Boat was unroped and off...I think I've said "off we/I went" enough times. Yeah.

We motored out under the bridges and out across the water. Lovely day for it. Not too hot, a bit of wind, not too much boat traffic. The ferries went past. We went past a buoy with two sea lions resting on it. I sat out on the front. I took lots of pictures. I posted lots of pictures. Dad had his phone rigged as the GPS, and his phone was hooked to the external battery source I got him for Christmas. He is super stoked on that set up. We moored on Blake Island and walked to the Tillicum Village (through the woods, which were sunny and bright). We didn't catch the performance, but the air in the village building was warm and nice smelling with fresh smoked fish. Yum. I bought some chocolate and a post card. Dad got an octopus mug. We walked around the open part by the village. Ma pointed out some tame raccoons and I stamped my book from the ranger station. Then we hustled back to the boat. My ankle has been hurting a lot lately. Need to get it checked out.

I rowed Ma and Pa out in two trips (I also rowed them in, because the dingy is small and can only carry so much weight), then I laid down and took a nap while Dad got the sailing on out on the water. Sails out and all that. We got some good wind, I got some good Zzzs.

I did sit up deck a bit after napping. I think I managed to catch some sun. The wind got a bit slow as we got closer to Bremerton. We eyeballed the houses on the shore and pointed out which were obviously old summer cabins and which were new constructions.

Mooring back was easy enough. There was another boat named the Kobayashi Maru II. Not a great name for a boat...

My car was where I left it. I ran a Walgreen's errand and bought a Guardians of the Galaxy blind box bobble head toy on a whim, and it was Gamora!! She's now affixed to my dashboard next to Brienne. Yeah badass gals with swords.

I'm tired. I'll watch Sunday TV tomorrow.

accidentally in the dark

Dad told me the power was going to go out last night, and I didn't remember that it was going to till...it went out. And it stayed out. Oops. Okay.

27th:

My internet was spotty, so I moved my setup to the porch, which wasn't too shabby of a place to work from but I wish I had a more functional computer, because hauling out the keyboard and typing on that instead of the one on the laptop is a bit tedious, and the layout of where the mouse/tracker pad is makes it all very awkward and it strains my arms and wrist.

Got a chunk of work done, and went to bed tired.

28th:

On site! I photographed and talked this and that. Got two more boxes done. We are nearing the end game of item documentation. Just tidying things up, getting it all organized. MMm hmm. I picked up a few more things to add to the "work for trade" pile, including a Coach purse in excellent condition but still used and thus worth much less. Now I have a second bag of similar size, but in black leather...for my goth looks.

After being stuck in traffic for 45 minutes, I arrived in Suquamish! Aaron and I got dinner at Sully's and walked on the beach and I pointed at rocks and asked him to identify them. No way to know if he was actually correct, but he sounded correct. A nice little evening, then back west I went...and the power cut out.

29th:

Had a restless night sleep. I just couldn't get settled. I had a light breakfast and popcorn for lunch. I set out my stuff on the porch again, just because it is so nice out there. I think I'll have a hootenanny here for the 4th, and maybe do a less controlled invite than Friendsgiving.

I deposited my checks, but it was in the box not an ATM, so they won't clear till Monday, boo! (I was late getting to the branch). I went food shopping and bought my staples, but I might make another run and get supplies for a crock pot meal. Been craving variety.

A nice mellow day. I didn't do any work from home though...but I have a till next Thursday window to work.

gotta know where your towel is

25th:

Happy Towel Day!

and Memorial Day too!

I posed with my towel, watched Samantha Cristoforetti read from The Guide and looked at her tweets from the ISS because she is literally the coolest person ever. Had breakfast. I went into Brinnon and visited Grandma and Grandpa's gravesite. The flowers have come up really well, and their plot REALLY stands out. It's one of the more tended ones in the cemetary. Afterwards I dropped off postcards at the post office and picked up a slice of banana cream pie from Halfway House.

Ate that pie, mellowed out, read a bit. Did a bit of work from home.

26th:

My internet has been sluggish all dang day, but I got work done. Almost have all the spreadsheets done, and almost have all the researched items up on the Squarestore. Almost in the position to vacate my position (almost a month after I said I was thinking of leaving) but sometimes I go slow, and sometimes I just need a kick in the boot. My motivation is still really low, but I'm feeling mentally oodles better, which is a good feeling.

The skin between my eyebrows has been super dry lately, I don't know why. I moisturize but it doesn't seem to stick.

I've been enjoying listening to video game "let's plays" by the Game Grumps dudes as background music. I like audio that sounds like I have company. That sounds very lonely, but I guess I am out here. Shrug.

It gets late so fast, but I also sleep in so much.

it's 1am already? dang

Relaxing Sunday! My body feels less worn out, especially after taking a nice bath and doing a deep condition on my hair (that I'm not sure actually did anything) and starting a fire and sitting in front of the fire and listening to podcasts and sweating through my jammies. Damn it was warm in front of the fire. I try to keep myself running a bit hot. No real reason, but I haven't gotten sick in ages so maybe I'm intentionally running fevers to kill germs?? Who knows. It's not NOT working.

Washed dishes. Ate carbs. Didn't leave the house.

I'm very sedantary these days. I need to pick up a regular activity to combat that. Anyone have gym equipment to pass down to me?

Shrimpfest 2X15

My body hurts. I did a bunch of walking today and I'm tired. Whewww! But uhh Friday:

Friday:

A really, wholly do nothing day. I had eggs and bacon and toast with jam. I had coffee. I watered the plants a bit. I watched TV. I lounged a bit. Read an essay on Tinder. Tindr. That app. It was a really good essay, Chris linked me it. Then I climbed back into my warm cocoon. Oh, I did some laundry too.

Saturday:

Set my alarm so that I wouldn't sleep through half of Shrimpfest. Got up, had some fluids and coffee and crumpet with jam. Got dressed in the clothes that I would wear in a cartoon: black jeans, Palladiums, black hoodie, graphic tee, leather jacket. The graphic tee was the Anadrill one. Representing at Shrimpfest!! I did my makeup in the purple & gray style. Looked like this:

I try to look distinct.

I opted to walk to Shrimpfest because exercise is good and I figured I'd have a few beers and I didn't want to pay for parking (though now I know that parking is free, still the second point stands). I grabbed my umbrella (white for best visibility) and strode out. The initial hill was tricky and my ankle was feeling jammed (like it was a year and a bit ago at the end of my time in Santa Cruz, I should get it checked out by a doctor) but as I started going down the hill it loosened up and started feeling much better. It was raining, but not intensely so. Still my shoes got a bit damp (I need proper walking rain boots). There was a decent line at Shrimpfest and I joined the credit card line and paid my way in. Struck up a conversation with this guy Larry in line, I would run into him a couple times over the fest. Nice fella, and his son was named Nathan.

I hit up an ATM once inside and bought some shrimp beads to represent. There was a band playing some cover songs, and they were fun. I got a garlic dog with onions (ordered it right after Larry & Nathan) and consumed it under a mounted umbrella. Very delicious and warm and filling. I did a circuit of the vendor booths. I filled out a form at the Habitat for Humanity booth, smelled soaps, looked at sand blasted glass mugs, and bought a whoopie pie for first dessert. Yummy! At this point I entered the beer garden and grabbed a beer and a seat and got to something sketching and much needed sitting. I can only be on my feet for so long. Larry joined me for a second and I sketched him and he told me "I'm made of old leather" as a way to discourage me from drawing him. His son also studies art as it turns out, and we chatted briefly across the Beer Garden barrier about brush pens.

Had a second brewski and drew more by myself. I walked around a bit more. Wished there was some cotton candy. I like cotton candy. There was popcorn but ehhh I don't want popcorn all the time. Bought a little nice smelling soap and a doggy treat for Banjo. Penultimately I consumed a funnel cake with powdered sugar and maple on top. Last funnel cake I consumed was in Marietta (Mariette?), Pennsylvania with Rainbow at that stormed out Seven Bridges concert in the park.

Finished the whole cake and stuffed and tired, I dragged myself home. Woof that was an exhausting walk. Did not like the up hills, but eventually it was all downhill. The rain has stopped by then, and the clicker at the gate said 2000 people at visited! Good turn out. Tomorrow is the belt sander races, but I'm not returning.

Celia stopped by and we chatted. I went pajama mode the instant I got home. I'm stuck on a really hard level in Bubble Fins. Jooosshhhh help!!!

Oh and one of Rachel's friends is doing a Highway 101 bike trip, so I may do the kind host thing like so many people did for me a year ago.

Here are more photos:

what a glorious day

Wednesday:

Midway through! I hard a hard time rolling out of bed and getting going, but I got going. Wore a nice shirt. Did my makeup nice. Had a nice drive out. Photographed items for work, and more necklaces for Laura/en. Picked through some odds and ends to make some new listings to sell. Did some research for shipping protocols and found the helpful advice stating that you should drain waterbeds BEFORE you move them.

I swung by the library on the way back, got stuck in traffic, got home and chilled out. TV has slowed down.

Thursday:

Trimmed my nails and painted them bright pink. Did my makeup based on this look I saw online last night (purple matte shade in the crease and a shimmery silver on the lid). I dug it. Very dark and smokey. I ate a bunch of pasta and some healthy green things, then I drove out to Bremerton to meet Karen to hang. We sat on the patio at this tapas place (but I didn't get anything) and chatted recent events and suggestions for moving forward. Then we saw Mad Max Fury Road and goddang that movie is AWESOME!!! So wonderful. Such stunts. Very enjoyable on the second watch, and I'd be down to watch it a third time haha....

And she loved it, so that was good. Always good to watch a movie with someone who enjoys it too.

OHHH I saw a great turquoise Chevy Bel Air. With the fins and chrome. So pretty.

Time to sleep. Feeling very sleepy.

pulali person

Monday:

I removed my earring to see how it was healing, and I dropped the front part of the stud and have been unable to locate it. I heard it hit the ground but not bounce, so I fear that maybe it went under something in the bathroom. Bummer. I can buy the same-ish earring easily enough (well not easily, I have to go to the shop, but it isn't like I lost one of only two earrings) but I don't wanna. So now I'm back to silver loop in my left ear, and the tiger's eye in the right. It's still healing. That damn scar tissue is being a brat.

I worked from home a bit and got things online for the store.

I made such a minor deal about making longer posts and now I can't think of what else that I did to fill out this day. I watched the Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell adaptation, well, the first episode of it anyway. And other TV.

The weather was nice and warm.

I microwaved some popcorn but it turns out that it had expired in October 2008, and the faux butter was totally nasty. Made it taste just...uhg horrible. Popcorn expires! Well the bagged kind does, at least.

Tuesday:

Watered the garden and turned the fungus dirt. It is still whiteish looking. I wonder if it will dry out and properly die? I think I saw some growth in the carrots. Do seeds die?

Slept in. I've been sleeping in too much, but my bed is so warm and cozy.

Going to be on site tomorrow.

Dang! How can I not get a decent paragraph about today. I've been listening to Game Grumps as background noise while I work.

Emily Heller, Brett Hamil, and Elicia Sanchez at the Eclectic Theater in Seattle, WA

Emily Heller, Brett Hamil, and Elicia Sanchez at the Eclectic Theater in Seattle, WA.

5/16/15

Micron and ink wash in moleskin.

hetch ee double hockey stick ee arrrr

Saturday:

I was browsing through my old blog posts and I used to write such long entries all the time, but I was also doing so much day to day. Going to this class, then lunch, then another class, then hanging out and doing this and that, or going to First Thursday and seeing all this art. I've been out of college for four years now! Wow!

So today was a really fun great day! Saturday that is. I got to sleep in a little bit, then I had some scrambled eggs with chopped up bacon and cinnamon toast. Put on my stripey tights, my pineapple dress, my black hoodie, my leather jacket, my black Palladiums (though thinking about it, my orange high top Palladiums could have been a great way to bring the colors of my dress out, hmmm next ensemble!), and did shimmery eyemakeup with brows and no winged eyeliner. Just a nice look for being out on the town and hanging and being recognizable. I like to dress worthy of being illustrated, if I'm going to be fancy. Can only wear a tee and jeans to so many functions.

I was originally going to take the Bremerton ferry, but reviewed the Bainbridge times and that was equally as good. On the way there I swung by a coffee drive through and got a coffee to break a $20, not knowing that the parking lot at Bainbridge Island has gone automated. When did we stop having to shove dollars into a numbered slot in a metal thingy to pay for parking? Do we still have to in some places? I finished my smoothie (raspberry) and got a coffee at the ferry dock and finished the coffee by the end of the ferry crossing and felt right on the verge of having had too much coffee. I did a drawing on the ferry ride over, but the drawing was a birthday card for Chris (into which I included a shark sticker because that is how I roll).

Arrived to a gray Seattle day, but no rain! And I was glad it was a bit chilly because it it was hot while I suffered up the hill to Capitol Hill area, ohhh that would have sucked. I strode up Marion in full awesome force. Peed in the bathroom at Seattle Library because that coffee went through me like a champ. Nice library. And continued up the blocks. My fitness app actually was like "wow you did some good exercise today!"

The venue wasn't open (The Eclectic Theater) so I met Chris at Stumptown and we hung out on a bench in a park and chatted podcasts, coffee, life stuff. Hungry, we went down the street a bit to Pike Street Fish Fry and both got the battered cod and chips. Scrumptious. Can't beat a good fish n chip. Catching up with Chris is always great. No matter how long its been, we are always able to talk. It's a really good friendship to have. Had a couple beers at Saint John's Bar & Eatery, which featured a bulls head that was shaped out of Rainier cans. Nifty. I was never one to know all the different places to hang. I've always relied on other people's suggestions. I guess in Santa Cruz I knew maybe, like, one place? I know theaters. If there's a theater near by, I know it. That is what I seek out.

With still time to kill, we got shmancy cocktails at Cafe Pettirosso. When am I ever having a fancy cocktail? Almost never. Treat yo self!

Then, finally, venue time! I saw Emily Heller inside the venue and made eye contact but was far too shy to say anything at that moment. Still, how cool! And she, like my Wentworth Miller sighting almost a decade ago, looks exactly the same in person.

The venue was small. Seating for 20ish people. A guy was solving a Rubik's Cube and I complimented him on his nice cube choice (solid colors, no sticker). Nice friendly crowd. Brett Hamil opened. Funny guy. I liked his jokes about forgetting you ate beets the night before. Elicia Sanchez was next and was hilaaarious! Great stage presence and jokes and rhythm with the crowd. I don't think I've ever seen stand up like this. I saw an open mic in Santa Cruz, but that was a series of 2 minute sets. Very different. I liked this size because everyone was there to have fun and were supportive. I don't know if I'd enjoy being in an audience where someone antagonized the performer. I'm here to have fun and enjoy myself, and fighting against the person trying to make that happen seems...weird?

Anyway, Emily Heller was aweeesome! I love her Baby Geniuses podcast that she does with Lisa Hanawalt (hence why I lugged myself all the way out to Seattle for this show). How do I review comedy? She had good jokes. Relevant, relateable, well transitioning jokes. I dug her. And I talked to her a little bit after the show and bought a poster and she signed it and she recognized me from this Instagram post I made earlier in the day about boating to see the show, so THAT was cool! I had a nice moment (I felt) of banter with Mr. Hamil. "Where did you come from?" "Brinnon." "Where's that?" "Near Quilcene." "Where's that?" "Near Chimacum." Heh heh heh. Small towns.

Absolutely wonderful note to end on. Chris hooked me up with the proper bus to take downtown (the 12) and I caught the 9:55 back to Bainbridge Island. It's probably been three years since I last saw Chris. We should hang more. I should go to Seattle more. It's not a bad city. It just takes time and effort and timing and money to get there. But parking in Bainbridge ain't bad.

I didn't drive all the way back to Pulali. I stopped in Suquamish and stayed over at Aaron's. Not too far out of the way. Banjo is a sweet cuddly doggy, but is prone to chewing noisily on a bone in the middle of the night.

Sunday:

Aaron and I got brunch at The Oak Table Cafe in Kingston. I had the eggs casey (and our server was named Casey) which is chopped bacon in eggs on a croissant, drizzled with mushroom sauce. But the side of pancakes was overkill, but Aaron is a good guy and helped finish those off. Well sated, I took a nap while watching Anthony Bourdain on Netflix...still at Aaron's. So polite of me to just hang out with someone and spend the time napping. Hahah. Then I read a bit about geology from Aaron's illustrated copy of A Short History of Nearly Everything. Learned stuff about the weirdo English dudes who started that whole geology as thing stuff. Then I returned to Pulali.

Did laundry, got shows queued up, Interneted, watched Mad Men and was like "well, that show is gone now." A very good full fun weekend. I love getting out of the house, and really need to do it more often. I just can't think of things to do besides watching movies (in terms of activities that get me out of the house. I also scanned my sketchbook.

lady movies

Thursday:

On site! Rolled out of bed, stuffed some coffee down my gob, and off I went! Procured some freebie clothes at work because I got to intercept a pile before it got consigned. Booyah. I also helped photograph some jewelry for a client (on site still) and that was fun! Got a new necklace too. With a little bit of coral dangly on it. Not a bad day. Got some stuff done and documented.

And I got to hang with Aaron after work. He's back from Leavenworth! Hurray! And I got to see a very enthusiastic Banjo, who spun in circles. Aaron and I got pizza at Bella Luna and watched the sun set.

I departed and caught the late showing of Mad Max: Fury Road by myself and it was amazing! Awesome practical effects, so many stunts, oddball character designs, a look like nothing else, and SO many lady characters! I didn't even know what to do with so many ladies in a movie like this. I want to see it again, but bring a notepad and take notes on the way certain characters are filmed, and scenes...but also sit closer to the front and just soak in all the awesome.

Got back late and stayed up too late.

Friday:

Worked a bit from home, then headed out to Silverdale to meet Mom to see another lady filled movie: Pitch Perfect 2. It was very cute and had some nice tunes. Anna Kendrick was charming as always. Where does she find the time to be in so many things?

I swung by Target and found a new battery for my watch! Except it didn't work so I think my watch might be broken...I wonder how much watch repair costs?

And I made a Trader Joe's run. Hurray for seaweed! And back home with me. So much time spent driving to do errands, but that's the way it is out here.

Tomorrow I'm going to Seattle to see Emily Heller! And I'm going to hang with Chris, so looking forward to that. Going to wear my pineapple dress, yay.

last days of shrimp

Last day with Ma and Pa visiting. Last day for shrimping too. We got a motherlode, so we should be good on shrimp for the rest of the year.

I had a cuppa coffee and two eggs and english muffins for breakfast. Yum. Ma improved the upstairs of the garage and now there is another bed for company! Now I just need some company. Ma and I gardened a bit. In some of the open beds I planted cucumbers, carrots, and pumpkins. Some of the garden beds need airing because of dirt fungus,

The weather was clear and crisp, but damp from rain and heavy with the hints of more rain to come. A good day to do activity outside. I helped Dad roll up the ropes and haul up the shrimp gear. Ma made sandwiches for lunch and Dad grilled some shrimp.

With all the shrimp got and packed, Ma and Pa departed. Nice to have a few days worth of company.

I did a spot of laundry and a spot of work and had some noodles for dinner. Now it's bed time because, guess what, I'm on site tomorrow!

mom likes birds

Monday:

Worked getting stuff online. More stuff. Always more stuff. Did some rearranging. Ma and Pa came up again for a few days of shrimping and hard core yard work. I had sit on my bum and do computer work, so I did that. But I did help time the shrimp and eat the shrimp that was barbecued for dinner. I'm sure other things went down, but they went to bed early and I went to bed late.

Tuesday:

Today I worked on writing up tutorials for listing items on Square and eBay. They are mainly a jumping off point for the boss, and there's always far more info to be included, but for now I feel pretty good about them. Hopefully they are clear.

Ma and Pa cleared so much brush, and Dad did tons of sawing of branches. So much brush clearing! It was nice to have Ma make lunch. Barely an interruption in my flow of tutorial making. Once I got the Square one done, we took a little hike and then dinner, which was Arthur shaped pasta, beans cooked Trill style, and chicken. Oh and a bottle of Merlot that had a bird on the label, because of course it had a bird on it. Post dinner I made cupcakes and we watched A Knight's Tale. Such fun.

Then I did the eBay tutorial, and was on a roll and I finished it. Now it's very late and I'm going to go to sleep. I think I'll do some gardening tomorrow. And it's the last day for shrimping.

expect many "year ago today" posts

I am so tired and sore. Took too many steps yesterday. Got a app to track my steps, so I can keep track of being fit and stuff. Not that I'm on the road to getting fit.

Saturday:

Ma and Pa arrived at 8:45, a bit later than they originally said. Pa got right to setting shrimp traps, Ma got to clearing brush from the seawall. I made some cinnamon toast and helped a bit with hauling brush onto the beach fire. My Megan Nicole Dong comics arrived, and she included stickers in the order! How wonderful to have stickers! I love her art so much.

Dad hauled up another limits worth of shrimp, and we got to cooking them and I got to eating them. And I prepared some alfredo sauce with shrimp and pasta for a little lunch. We sat on the beach too, and at more shrimp. Claire stopped by and she and Celia went for a courageous swim.

Ma and Pa left early, and I made a late in the evening grocery run. Ice cream, marshmallows, green beans, beer. The staples. There was an accident on 101 on the way back. An SUV had hit the side of a truck, and both were pretty banged up. No one seemed smeared on the pavement, but there were many cops. I guess the truck was going too fast into Quilcene and got hit by someone turning left...except the truck was going out of Quilcene. Hmmm. Anyway, that was a thing.

It was nice to get home and rest.

Sunday:

Made rice krispie treats! Yum! And...ate them all. Well I shared some with Celia. And it wasn't....a big amount. But I still....ate them all throughout the day. On top of a sandwich and pasta and lots of carbs. So many carbs.

I worked on a couple long LONG overdue thank you cards. And watched telly. and kept it chill mostly. A casual Sunday. Now it is WAY late, so I'm going to bed.

A year ago today I was camping at Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, not knowing that I'll soon be woken up my snow collapsing my tent.

moderate villain

Thursday:

More work from home! I had vidya game walk throughs going and I looked up this and that for work and knocked out a good chunk of work...stuff. I'm not going on site again till next Thursday.

There's a bunch of Bald Eagles taking up in the trees out front. They fly and fight each other a whole bunch.

I should leave the house some time. Go see a movie and go grocery shopping. That'll be nice.

I dyed my hair too. Refreshed it. I followed the directions more this time. The "put on roots first for 20 minutes then the rest". Last time it seemed like it didn't stick to the roots as well, but this time it seems even. I like my dark hair. Makes me look like a villain/femme fatale.

Friday:

Accidentally turned off my alarm, so I slept in. Was very warm and cozy. I spent the day tidying and cleaning. I hung up clothes, swept the floor, vacuumed, made the beds, scrubbed the counter tops, washed towel. Generally made my living space look nice. It was getting a bit cluttered. I'm no neat freak, but I don't like messes so much. Cleaned, listened to podcasts, didn't work from home...

Tomorrow will be another shrimping day! yay!

wednesday

Truckin' along with my at home work. Still in a mental funk, but I'm getting stuff done.

Got a nice email from the boss.

It was a sunny day. I had an avocado creme cheese sandwich. I didn't mix the two, I just sliced the 'cado and put it on top. And made some cinnamon sugar to put on toast.

I listened to gameplay overviews instead of podcasts while working. Sometimes it is just nice to hear people talk about whatever and not have to pay full attention.

Think I'll dye my hair tomorrow.

first swim of the year

Sunday

Did the distance to Trader Joe's (and also dropped off some library books. Nice day to get out for a drive. You didn't notice it but I just paused in my typing because I remembered I bought a nicer beer from TJ's. I look forward to enjoying that. Returned home. Lounged about in my brown short pants. Later on in the day I popped over to Celia's to help her with her roof moss. I was on a ladder carefully scraping away. I pulled a hula-hoe out from her supply of tools and that prooved MOST excellent for scraping off and pulling the moss down. Best when you are below/low on the roof. Not for when your vantage is above the moss. It got so many big chunks off! So Celia brushed from the top, I scraped from the bottom. Only one section really left (sure there will always be moss to remove, but the many year build up of it, that's what needs to be off). I feel so happy that I found that tool useful.

And in the evening I swam out to the raft. It was very cold. I took a nice hot shower after and settled in for evening TV.

Monday

Sorry I got distracted during my blogging.

I did some work from home. Did some laundry. I'm from home all this week, so that's nice. Uhhh. I'm sure I did something else. Hmmmn.

Tuesday

Had a better day of working from home (just more productive, got into a groove of things with podcasts and stuff). Had potstickers. It was rainy and gray. I changed the desktop wallpaper on my phone. I got some of the ginger beer (non alcoholic) from TJ's and it's very tasty! Ginger is such a good flavor, I don't indulge in it enough.

I just got distracted again by downloading apps and realizing that the date that this thing is going to happen on is the same date as this other thing that is going to happen and I'll have to double dip.

Okay, I think that'll do me in this of another very short multi day blog post.

doggies doggies every where

Friday:

Packed up Bodi, who was excited for the drive. Forgot a box of stuff though. Oh well...I'll bring it next time I'm on site. But yeah, Bodi was returned to Bainbridge Island! He was excited, then gave the cold shoulder (this time I picked him up, it was more a matter of me removing him from Boss, whereas before she had been gone for the day by the time I took him home), then returned to his usual antics.

I photographed things. I did research things. I talked to my boss about a thing at the end of my shift that was important. I'm going to be looking to finding more local work and will phase myself out of this job...no immediate time frame BUT I made my intention clear. Work has been causing my anxiety, so a change was needed and what better day than on the anniversary of my leaving Santa Cruz for my cross country road trip? Can you believe it's been a year?

I accidentally dropped my eyebrow brush behind the sink and it fell where I can't get it, so I bought a replacement. And my copy of SuperMutant Magic Academy arrived at Liberty Bay Books, so I picked that up. Hurray for local booksellers! Then I bought a ticket for the 8:30 showed of Avengers: Age of Ultron (7:30 was sold out), got some McDonald's, then went and saw the movie...

...which left me very whelmed. Like...the effects were killer, the stunts were awesome, and some scenes were so Heironymus Boschian in their detail and all over action. And the sass level was great...but there wasn't a sense of real danger or that the heroes wouldn't triumph. It was lacking something. The Marvel movies are too big now and thus lack individuality and specialness. It's one big show and it can't go one forever because actors age. Anyway. Yeah. No need to see it again in theaters for me.

Next movies I'm looking forward to: Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation and Jurassic Park 4.

Returned home and did my home thing.

Saturday:

Dad said shrimping started at 9am. He arrived at 8:15 am. I was in bed then I hear a knock knock hello?

But I still dozed in a bit. Then I made breakfast and a bit of coffee for Dad when he came in from setting the shrimp pots. Then he went back out. Brought the first bucket in, beheaded them, then went out, got the rest, beheaded those. So many shrimp! Very good first day of shrimping. He got the large pot boiling, and I was on 2 minute timer duty. We got those babies cooked in no time, and wow they were delicious. I ate so many shrimp. Sprinkled garlic salt on a few of them. Num num. Shared with Celia. Our permits were met, I tell you what.

There was a lounge break. And a look at boats break. Then Dad and Celia and I piled in the van and headed to Linda's cabin for dinner. I met Reed (Linda's grandson) and Gabriel (Linda's rescue doggy). Ohhh Gabriel was a cute doggy. Friendly, small, with little black eyes. Melted my heart. Dinner was healthy and tasty and there was cake. Dad is staying over, so there should be breakfast! I think tomorrow I'll make a grocery run and clean house. Everythings looking cluttered to me right now, so it'd be nice to sort things away.

wow my posts are short

Wednesday:

Worked. Walked Bodi out to the Navy Point and back. He's a bit antsy this time and not listening to me as well as last time. I think he's learned that he's actually away from the Boss right now.

And I burned pudding in pan and took lots of kitchen magic and Celia's help to scour it off the bottom. Heat, water, vinegar, baking soda. Not in that order. There was soaking. And heating. And furious scrubbing. Eventually it cleaned, but not till Thursday morning after a night's soak.

Thursday:

Cleaned the pan. Had bacon and eggs in another pan. Did more work. Walked Bodi more. He is totally a bit more ignoring of me. Maybe he resents being sent into my care this time. Oh well.

Got work and errands tomorrow. Then it's the weekend! I might plant a few carrots.

A year ago I was packing up to leave Santa Cruz. Has it really been eight months since my trip finished?

seals have their spot

Monday:

On site! Back on site again. I photographed and we caught up and talked upcoming tasks and stuff. Moderately productive day. Got a stack of stuff to do from home over the next few days, as well as looking after Bodi!

On the way to work I got caught by the raising bridge, and in some construction, and behind a school bus for a second. Bleh.

On the way back, no biggie. Deposited my paychecks. Got some junk food. Bodi got very stoked once we started coming down the road. He played with Corbie for a bit, then we chilled out.

Tuesday:

Up early to walk the dog. Boo, early up! Then sat out front at Celia's with her and the doggies. We were both in our pajamas looking scruffy.

I had some breakfast and waited for ma and pa to show up. Today is put the raft in the water day! The weather was nice in the morning, but quickly turned cold and rainy with a bit of wind. No good.

Ma installed some lights in the garage. Dad drove the trailer under the raft, which has been propped up during the fall and winter season, and we three and Bodi took it down to the shellfish lab to launch it. All went pretty smooth, despite the rain. I walked Bodi and he got a bit damp.

Dad towed it around to the buoy, Mom drove Bodu & I back. I put more logs on the fire and put on dry clothes. Dad showed up pretty darn quick. Everything was secured and we hauled up what needed to be hauled up. Success! I made a bowl of popcorn and we caught the end of Operation Condor on television. Celia stopped by for conversation, then Ma and Pa departed for Seabeck once again, and I was left to my devices. My devices being a gigantic cook up of pasta and sauce (enough for several days) and general do-nothing-ary.

Tomorrow is a work day.

steak and potatoes

Saturday:

Did a bit of work, then drove over to Suquamish to hang with Aaron, hurray! Today was April 25th, which according to Miss Congeniality is the perfect date. Dinner was rib eye steak and potatoes grilled outdoors, with a salad for greenery. Very delicious, and well cooked. Afterwards we watched Death at a Funeral and Banjo cuddled with me like a good doggy. I didn't stay over, so naturally I returned home and slept way, way in.

Sunday:

I was so perfectly warm and content. Morning is nice. There is so little noise.

I did some more work from home work and did some laundry and had a long breakfast and listened to podcasts. Not all in that order. Now I'm just going to finish this episode of Mad Men and tuck into bed because it's a work on site day tomorrow!